Acetylene-gas-generator lamp.



' Nufsssgso. vlPaten'mi Dec. 26, |899..

w. o. NELsoN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR LAMP.

(Application Bled Feb. 24, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

THE nbnnls paens co, PHn'ro-Lnno msnmmn 1, o c,

No. 639,760. Patented nep. 26, |899.

w. o. NELsoN.l ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR LAMP.

(Application med Feb. 24, 1899.) (No Modal.) 2 Sheets-$heet 2.

yiNrrnDi STA-*ras PATENT rares.

WILLIAM O. NELSON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LOUISS. HOUGHTON, OF SAME PLACE.

AcETYLENE-'GAs-GE'NEATOR LAMP.

sPnonrrcATIoN fel-ming part of Letters Patent Ne. 639,760, iet-eaDecember 2e, 18991 Application filed February 24, 1899. Serial No.706,726. (No model.)

T CuZ-Z whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM, O. NELSON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State ofMaryland, have invented new and useful Improvements inAcetylene-Gas-Generator Lamps, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to an improved acet ylene-gas-generator lamp.

1o It is an object of my invention to provide improved means forregulating the generation of the gas.

A further object of the invention relates to improvements in mechanismoperated by a movable gas-holder for revolving a cylindrical screen orcage containing the carbid, whereby the lime may be sifted out of theholder and the water always contact with a fresh surface of carbid.

zo A still further object of the invention relates to an improvedconstruction of gasholder located within the lamp and in means forlocking said gas-holder in a given position,

whereby to prevent the possibility of gas being generated.

A still further obj ect of the invention relates to a construction andarrangement of parts in a lamp of the character described whereby I amenabled to control the generation of the 3cgas or to stop the generationthereof through the medium of the valve controlling the supply of gas tothe burner.

The above constitute the broad or general objects of the invention.

Other objects of the invention relate to certain details of constructionand operation of parts, which will more clearly appear from the detaileddescription of my invention hereinafter given.

I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a sectional view through a lamp constructed according to myinvention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View through the waterreservoir.Fig. 3 is a front elevation of my improved collapsible gas-holder. Fig.4 illustrates, partly in elevation and partly in section, my improvedcarbid container or cage and in a detached View a detail of a fastening5o device employed in connection therewith; yand Figs. 5, 6, and 7illustrate, in edge and side views, respectively, details of themechanism for controlling the supply of water t0 the @arbid- Referringto the drawings, the numeral l in- 5 5 dicates the bottom and 2 the topportion of a lamp constructed according to my invention,l these partshaving a screw-threaded connection,` as indicated at 3. The top portionof the lamp is composed of an inner casing 4, 6o semispherical incross-section, surrounded by an outer casing 5 in such manner as toafford an air-space 6 between the curved walls of the two casings. Thisair-space is to prevent the water or the gas being unduly heated by theburner. The outer casing is attached at its bottom to an annular fiangeon the inner casing by means of bayonet-joints, as indicated at 7 Thetop of said outer casing is also provided with an opening through whichprojects 7o an annular screw-threaded flange 8, secured to the top ofthe inner casing and having a screwcap 9. Thel inner casing provides awatercompartment 10, having in its top a fillingorifice 11 locatedwithin the annular flange 8. 75 By removing the cap 9 water may besupplied to the water-co mpartment through this fillingorifice, as willbe understood. The flat side 12 of the inner casing and an extendedbottom portion 12a thereof form, in combination with 8o the surroundingouter casing 5, a compartment 13, in which is located my improvedgasholder la andthe mechanism for controlling the operation of the same.Said gas-holder comprises a fiat metal plate 15, suitably secured in thecompartment 13 in any preferred detachable manner to the fiat side 12 ofthe Water-compartment, said plate forming a stationary side of theholder. l Secured upon said plate and extending around the same to form9o an oval is a flange or ledge 16. e

The numeral 17 indicates the movable side of the gas-holder7 vwhich isin the -form of a fiat metal oval plate and of a size or circumferenceless than the oval formed by the iiange 16. The plate 17 is providedaround its edge with a flange 19. l

The numeral 2O indicates flexible material which is wired or otherwisesuitably connected at its edges about the respectivey flanges roo 16 19in a manner to form a collapsible gastight holder of the bellows type.By forming the movable side 17 of the gas-holder smaller than the other,or that part bounded by the,

iange 16, it will be seen that the flexible material connecting the twosides will tend to roll upon itselt-t-hat is, the shorter movable sidewill telescope, as it were, inside the iiexible materialthus preventingangular folds in said material and consequent cracking and breaking ofthe same. The flexible material used is preferably thin rubber; but anysuitable material that is gas-tight may be employed for this purpose.

The numeral 2l indicates a flat metal bar, which is bent to afford thetwo arms 22 and is secured at its lower curved end to the movable side17 of the bellows, as by solder. The two arms 22 are pivotally mountedat their outer extremities upon a pin 23. Mounted upon this pin is adisk 24, having notches in its periphery, and coiled about the pin 23 isa spring 25, one end of which is connected with one of the arms 22 andthe other end with the disk 24. A gravity or other pawl 26, mounted inan upper extension of the plate 15, engages the notches in the peripheryof the said disk. By turning this disk the tension of spring 25 may beregulated, and the pawl 26 operates to hold the disk in the position towhich it may be turned. The spring 25 tends normally to move the bentarm 21 and the movable side 17 inward toward the stationary side 15 asthe gas escapes from the holder, and said movable side and arm are movedoutward against the resistanceV of spring 25 by the pressure of thegenerated gas entering the holder. Secured at its lower end to.the outercasing 5 is a leaf-spring 27, the outer free end of which is apertured.Passing through the aperture in this spring and through an aperture inthe outer casing is a rod 2S, having a reduced screw-threaded end toreceive an adjusting-nut 29. By reducing the outer end of this rod Iprovide a shoulder on the rod,23, which bears against the leaf-spring27, as shown in Fig. 1. -At its other end the rod 28 has a hook 30,which is adapted to engage a bar 31, secured to the arm 22. The purposeof this construction will be presently set forth. The bottom 32 of thewatercompartment 10 is relatively higher than that of the compartment13. Extending through the side 12 of the inner casing below the bottom32 andalso through the plate 15 is an opening 33, a rubber or othergasket 34 being interposed between the side 12 and plate l5 andsurrounding the opening 33 to form a gastight connection at this point.Pivotallysecured to the lower inner side of the movable plate 17is anarm 35, which extends through the opening and at its outer extremity ispivotally connected to the upper end of a bent arm 36, which latter atits lower end is secured to a fixed collar 37 on a rock-shaft 33,mounted at opposite ends in suitable bearings. (Not shown.) Secured tothe opposite end of the rock-shaft 38 and extending in a downwarddirection is a lever-arm 39, supporting at its lower end asegment-'shaped plate 40, having studs 41, located, respectively, nearopposite ends thereof and projecting at right angles to its outer side.

The numeral 42 indicates a curved or segment-shaped ratchet-plate whichis mounted on the studs through the'medium ot' apertures 43, formed inthe ratchet-plate and located, respectively,near opposit e ends thereof.These apertures are substantially triangular in shape-thatis, they eachhave an inclined bottom 44 for a purpose to be presently described.

The numeral 45 indicates the carbid-holder, which is in the form ot' acylindrical wire cage, the wires 46 thereof being spaced a suitabledistance apart to permit the lime orspent carbid to be sifted out of theholder in the revolution thereof, as presently described. Each of saidwires 46 is provided on opposite sides of a central point with anindentation 46, the purpose of which is to prevent any water which maychance to fall upon a wire instead ot' in the space between two wiresfrom run-` ning down the wire to either end of the cage. Said cage isprovided at opposite ends with a journal 47, by which means it may berevolubly and removably mounted in the lower ends of spring-arms 4S. Oneend of said cage is provided with a circular opening, at points aroundwhich are provided three or more headed studs 49. Said circular openingis closed by means of a plate 50, provided with slots 51, correspondingin number to those of the studs 49. Said slots are enlarged at one endto permit the heads of the studs passing through, after which the plate50 is turned to cause the studs 49 to enter the narrow part of theslots, through which the heads ofthe studs cannot pass. By this meansthe plate 50 is removably secured 0n the carbid-cage and may be readilydetached therefrom to permit carbid to be placed in the holder, as willbe understood. Rigidly secured on the opposite end of the cage is aratchet-whee152, the teeth of which engage with the teeth of theratchetplate 42.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows: As the gas-holder 14fills with gas the plate or side 17 moves outward, carrying the arm 35with it. This movement of arm 35, through the medium oi' bent arm 36,causes a part revolution of rock-shaft 3S, which-moves the lever-arm 39,carrying the plate 40, in the direction indicated by the arrow. In thismovement the studs 41 ride up on the inclined edges 44 of the apertures43, thus holding the teeth of the ratchet-plate 42 in engagement withthe teeth of the ratchet-wheel 52, and thereby revolving the latter, andwith it the carbid-holder, to sift the lime orspent carbid therefrom. Asthe gas is used, the spring 25, actuating the bent-arm 21, forces themovable side 17 inward, which movement will cause the lever-arm 39 andthe plate 40 to be moved in the opposite direction to that indicated,

`whereby the studs 41 will be moved out of engagement with the inclinededges 44, and the ratchet-plate 42 will be permitted to ride over theteeth of the ratchet-wheel 52 to engage a IOO IIO

IZO

fresh set of teeth, as will be understood. By this construction andoperation a fresh surface of the carbid is always presented to beattacked by the water.

The numeral indicates a ratchet successively engaging the wires of thecarbid-cage to prevent back-turning ofthe same.

I will now describe the mechanism for admitting water to the carbid.

The numeral 53 indicates a pipe communicating with the water-compartmentthrough the bottom thereof, as shown. This pipe is bent at right anglesto extend beneath the bottom of the compartment 13, and immediatelyabove the carbid-cage 45 is provided with a downward-depending portion54, affording a drop-orifice.

The numeral 55 indicates a short shaft mounted in suitable bearings, atone end of which is secured a bent arm 56, carrying at its outer end arubber block 57, normally closing the drop-orifice in the pipe 53. Fromthe opposite end of the shaft 55 depends an arm 58,'the lower end ofwhich is bent outward and then inward at right angles to itself to formone angular projection 59. The fixed collar 37 is provided with avperipheral slot 6l, in which works a pin 62, carried bya collar 63,which is revolubly mounted on the shaft 38. In this loose collar 63 isprovided an angular peripheral recess 64, and a similar but largerrecess is formed in the fixed A collar 37, as clearly shown in Fig. 7,and these recesses may be brought opposite each other or to register topermit the projection 59 to enter same, as also clearly shown in Fig. 7.

The operation of these parts is as follows: The parts being in theposition shown in Fig. 1, the projection 59 rests upon the peripheriesof the collars 37 and 63, and thereby the rubber block 57 is held firmlyagainst the droporiiice of pipe 53. In this position the gasholder 14 isin a more or less inflated condition. As gas is consumed the gas-holdergradually collapses, the movable side 17 moving inward toward the plate15 in obedience to the force exerted by spring 25 and carrying with itarm 35, thereby through the medium of arm 36 turning the fixed collar 37and rock-shaft 38. In this movement the pin 62 rides in the slot 61 andthe movable collar 63 remains stationary, the projection 59 resting nowon said movable collar only and holding the drop-orifice closed, thisposition of parts being clearly shown in Fig. 6. It will further be seenfrom this figure that the respective edges of recess 65 have been movedbeyond the corresponding edges of recess 64 in a manner to bring theserecesses partly out of register. As the deiiating movement of the holdercontinues the radial edge of slot 61 will engage the pin 62 on themovable collar, and thereby move said collar so that the edge of recess64 therein will be moved beyond the apex of the yprojection 59. Saidprojection will now start to enter the recess 64, owing to the force ofgravity exerted upon the lever-arm 56, and in this movement the upperangular side of the projection 59, engaging the edge of recess 64, willoperate to revolve quickly the movable 'collar 63 upon the rock-shaft38, so that the recesses 64 and 65 will again be brought into registerand the projection 59 can instantly enter same, thus permitting thelever-arm 56, with its stopper 57, to fall suddenly from the'droporiiiceof the downwardly-extending end 54 of the water-pipe, this position ofthe parts being shown in Fig. 7. By permitting the rubber block orstopper 57 to drop suddenly from the end of the water-pipe I therebyinsure that a sufficient quantity of water shall be discharged upon thecarbid to generate the requisite volume of gas, as otherwise, if onlythe iixed collar 37 were employed, it is evident that the upper inclinedside of the projection 59 would ride upon the edge of recess 65 insteadof dropping suddenly into said recess, and a small amount of water beingallowed to drop upon the carbid as the stopper gradually left the end ofpipe 53 an amount of gas would be generated sufficient to distend thebellows to a greater orless degree, and the drop-orifice would be againclosed before sufficient water had escaped therefrom to generate theamount of gas requisite to completely llill the gas-holder. Thus thepartial inflation and deflation of the'gasholder would alternately occurin rapid succession, which would be undesirable as tending to cause anundue wearing of the parts and insufficient rotation of the carbid-cageto perfectly free the carbid from the lime. It is to be understood,however, that the disadvantages vabove enumerated as applying to a sin--gle stationary collar employing a recess are merely relative, as inactual practice I have constructed the rock-shaft 38 with a cam-surfaceto operate on the en'd of lever-arm 58 and have secured satisfactoryresults. It is evident, therefore, that I can dispense with the loosecollar 63 and emploj7 only the collar 37, or otherwise provide therock-shaft 38 with a cam-surface to operate on the end of leverarm 58,without departing from the spirit of my invention, and while theconstruction described is desirable I do not wish to be limitedAthereto. I have described the operation of these parts in the movementin one direction of the movable side of the gas-holder. Referring againto Fig. 7 it will be evident that as the gas generated as a result ofthe preceding operation enters the gas-holder the side 17 thereof willbe moved outward or away from the plate 15, operating thereby throughthe mechanism described to revolve the rock-shaft 38 in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 7. In this movement the edges of therecesses 64 65 will engage the upper inclined side of the projection 59and through the lever mechanism described raise the stopper 57 intoengagement with the drop-orifice and shut off the water-supply. Byreferring to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the peg 62 is not IOO :inengagement with the radial edge of slot 61, and as the recess G5 islarger or wider than the recess 64 this arrangement permits a liniitedmovement of the stationary collar, and consequently of the movable sideof the gasholder, before the projection 59 shall be again acted on toclose the water-supply, thus further insuring that the proper amount ofwater shall be discharged before the drop-orificeis closed. Of course inthe reverse movement the stationary collar will be turned agivendistance, regulated bythe length of the slot 61, before the loosecollar 63 is acted upon to permit the lever-arm 5G to fall. By varyingthe length of slot'Gl and the size of recess 65 relative thereto thedistance the side 17 of the gas-holder can move in either directionwithout operating the water-supply either to open or close the same canbe adjusted to suit the requirements of the case.

By providing an angular recess and an angular projection to coperatetherewith, as described, I secure an additional advantage in operation,which will now be described.

In the position of parts as shown in Fig. `'7 the gas-holder will not beentirely deiiated, as in the normal operation of the apparatus a newgeneration of gas will always ensue before the gas previously generatedhas been entirely consumed. Should the gas-holder from any cause becomepunctured, the movable side 17, under the pressure of spring 25, wouldbe carried inward beyond the point it occupies in the normally-deflatedcondition of the gas-holder, or that point it occupies when the part-sare in the position shown in Fig. 7, and as this inward movement of side17 revolves the fixed collar 37 in the direction of the arrow in Fi'g. 6the edge of the recess 65 will engage the Linder side of the angularprojection 59, and thereby operate, through the mechanism described, toclose the drop-oriiice. Should the gas-holder be accidentally ruptured,therefore, only a slight amount of gas could escape as a result, and thegeneration of gas will be automatically stopped.

From the above description it will be observed that the arrangement ofparts is such that the water can only be supplied to the carbid at atime when a fresh generation of gas is required. On the other hand, thecarbid-holder is revolved only in the expanding movement of thegas-holder, so that a fresh surface of the carbid will be presented whennext the water ispermitted to drop on the same.

In order to admit gas to the water-compartment 10 to permit the water topass freely therefrom, I secure along the vertical partition 12 a pipe'70,the pipe 70 extending through the bottom of the water-compartmentand communicating with the generating-chamber just above the opening Atits upper end this pipe is provided with a right-angular extension 71,which extends across the top of the water compartment and has an outeropened end. The purpose of this construction stop 75.

is to provide against water passing through the pipe 70 to thegenerating-chamber in case of the accidental overturning of the lamp.

IVhen it is desired to positively prevent the generation of gas, theadjusting-nut 29 is turned to draw the rod 28 outward. In this movementthe hook 30 engages the bar 31 and draws the arms 22 and the movableplate 17 outward, which operates, through the mechanism described, tohold the'rounded part of the collars 37 and 63 in engagement with theprojection 59, whereby the rubber block 57 will be held firmly againstthe drop-orifice and prevent water from issuing therefrom. By turningthe adjusting-nut 29 in the reverse direction the spring 27 will pushthe rod 2S inward until the hook 30 will cease to engage with the bar31, and the operation of the apparat-us may be resumed.

In the plate 17 is an aperture which is normally closed by a conicalvalve 72, carried by aspring-arm 73, secured to the plate 17. Said valvehas a projection 7-1 extending through the aperture in the plate 17. Thelower end of spring 27 is bent outward to afford a Any undue generationof gas will cause the gas-holder to be distended beyond a given point,when the projection 74 will contact with the stop 75 and move the valve72 away from the aperture to permit the surplus gas to escapetherethrough. It will be seen that this safety-valve is positive andcertain in its operation and that all danger of charging the gas-holderbeyond the safetypoint is prevented.

The bottom 2 of the lamp affords the generating-chamber, from which gaspasses through the opening 33 to the gas-holder. From thegenerating-chamber the gas passes through a iilter G5 and pipe 66 to theburner 67, the opening to which is closed by a needlevalve 68. Byturning this needle-valve to control the dow of gas to the burner itwill be seen that I can thereby regulate the generation of the gas andthat by shutting olf the flow of gas to the burner the gas-holder willbe held in a distended condition and the generation of gas prevented, asthe wet lime is constantly sifted or shaken out of the cage in therevolution thereof, so that after the flow of gas to the burner is cutoff there will. be practically no after generation.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a bicycle-lamp, itis evident that the same maybe applied equally well to other forms oflamp, and such application is contemplated herein. Other parts of thedevice shown and not herein described are of the ordinary or anypreferred construction and need not be specifically referred to, as theyform no part of this invention. .I may mention, however, that Ipreferably extend the chimney 69 to such a height that the products ofcombustion may escape at a point above the water-compartment, so thatthe water may not be heated thereby.

Vhen it is desired to recharge the appara- IOO IIO

tus, the bottom isunscrewed from the top and the spring-arms 48 arepressed outward to permit the carbid-container to be removed fromengagement therewith, when the plate may then be removed to uncover theopening in the end of the container, as previously described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as'new is- 1. In aportable acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegasholder having a movable side, of a revoluble carbid-cage having aratchet-wheel, a rockshaft, a water-feed controlled thereby, a lever-armsecured thereto and carrying ratchet mechanism engaging saidratchet-wheel, an arm secured to said rock-shaft and an arm pivotallyconnected to said movable side, said arms being pivotally connected, thecombination operating to revolve the carbid-cage as the gas-holder isinflated as set forth.

2. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a gas-holder having amovable member, of a revoluble carbid-cage having a ratchetwheel, a rockshaft, a leverarm secured thereto and carrying a curved plate havingstuds, a curved ratchet-plate having apertures therein, each of saidapertures having upwardly-inclined bottoms,said ratchet-plate beingsupported'on said studs through said apertures and its teeth engagingthe teeth of said ratchet-wheel, an arm secured to said rock-shaft andan arm pivotall y connected to said movable member, said arms beingpivotally connected, the combination operating as set forth.

3. In a porta-ble acetylene-lamp, the combination with a gas-holderhaving a movable member, of a revoluble carbid-cage having aratchet-wheel, a rock-shaft, a lever-arm secured thereto and carryingratchet mechanism engaging said ratchet- Wheel, an arm secured to saidrock-shaft,an arm pi votally connected to said movable member, said armsbeing pivotally connected, and the mechanism operating to revolve thecarbid-cage as the gas-holder is filled, a water-compartment, a pipeleading therefrom having a drop-orice, and means operated by saidrock-shaft to open and close said drop-orifice in the movements of thegas-holder, substantially as described.

4. In a portable acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible vorcollapsible gasholder having a movable side, of a revoluble carbid-cagehaving a ratchet-wheel, ratchet mechanism coperating therewith, arockshaft, arms operatively connecting said rockshaft with said ratchetmechanism and movable side, respectively, the mechanism being adapted torevolve the carbid-cage as the gasholder is inflated, a water-compartment, a pipe leading therefrom havinga drop-orifice, and meansoperated by said rock-sh aft to open and close said drop-orifice in themovements of the gas-holder, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a revoluble carbidcage having aratchet-wheel, ratchet mechanism cooperating therewith, a rock-shafthaving a recess, arms operatively connecting said rock-shaft with saidratchet mechanism and movable side, respectively, a water-,compartment,a pipe leading therefrom having a drop-orifice, and a shaft revolublymounted in the lamp and having arms, one of' said arms carrying astopper for said drop-orifice and the other of said arms bearing at-itsend againstsaid shaft, the combination operating asset forth.

G. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a carbid-container, aWater-compartment, a pipe leading therefrom having a drop-orifice abovesaid container, a rock-shaft operatively connected with said movableside and having a fixed collar provided with a slot and a peripheralrecess and a loose collar provided with a similar recess and a pinworking iu said slot, and arms on said rock-shaft, one of said armscarrying a stopper for said drop-orifice and the other of said armshaving at its end a projection adapted to entersaid recesses, thecombination operating as set forth.

7. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a carbid-container, aWater-compartment, a pipe leading therefrom having a drop-orifice abovesaid container, a rock-shaft operatively connected with said movableside and having a fixed collar provided with a slot and a peripheralrecess and a loose collar provided with a similar but smaller recess anda pin Working in said slot, and arms on said rock-shaft, one of saidarms carrying a stopper for said drop-orifice and the other of said armshaving at its end a projection adapted to enter said recesses, thecombination operating as set forth.

S. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side of a pivotally-mounted,spring-controlled arm secured at its outer end to said side and tendingnormally to collapse said gas-holder, a revoluble carbid-cage, and meansoperatively connecting said movable side and said cage whereby torevolve said cage in the movement in one direct-ion of said side,substantially as described.

9. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side of a pivotally-mounted,spring-controlled arm secured at its outer end to said side and tendingnormally to collapse said gas-holder, means as described for regulatingthe tension of the spring of said arm, a revoluble carbid-cage, andmeans operatively connecting said movable side and said cage whereby torevolve said cage in the movement in one direction of said side,substantially as described. p

10. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with. a flexible orcollapsible gas-holder hav- IIO ing a movable side, of apivotally-mounted, spring-controlled arm secured at its outer end t0said side and tending normally to collapse said gas-holder, awater-compartment, a pipe leading therefrom havinga drop-orice, arevoluble carbid-cage, means operated by said movable side to revolvethe carbid-cage in the movement in one direction oi' said side and toopen the drop-orifice in the movement in the opposite direction of saidside, and means for holding the gas-holder in a distended positionwhereby to maintain the drop-orilice closed, substantially as described.

ll. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a exible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a pivotally-mounted,spring-controlled arm secured at its outer end to said side and tendingnormally to collapse said gas-holder, a water-compartment, a pipeleading therefrom having a drop-orifice, a revoluble carbid-cage, meansoperated by said movable side to revolve the carbid-cage in the movementin one direction of said side and to open the drop-orilice in themovement in the opposite direction of said side, and means for holdingthe gas-holder in a distended position whereby to maintain thedroporiiice closed, comprisinga barcarried by said arm, a spring-pressedrod having at one end a hook engaging said bar and having its oppositeend screwthreaded and projecting through the casing of the lamp and anadjusting-nut engaging said screw-threaded end, substantially asdescribed.

12. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with the bottom affordingagenerating-chamber and having a carbid cage revolubly mounted thereinand the top removably secured to the bottom and having two compartments,one of said compartments affording a waterchamber, a collapsible gas-holder mounted in the other compartment and having a movable side, anopening formed in the partition between the two compartments andaffording communication between the generating-chamber and thegas-holder, an arm carried by said movable side and working through saidopening, a pipe leading from said water-chamber and having adrop-orifice and means operated by said arm in the movements of saidmovable side to revolve said cage and open and close said orifice,substantially as described.

13. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a generating-chamber communicatingtherewith,a carbid-container, a water-compartment, a pipe leadingtherefrom having a drop-oritice above said container, means operated bysaid movable side for opening and closing said drop-orifice, a burnercommunicating with said generatingchamber and a valve for said burner,the combination operating as set forth.

14. In an acetylene-lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsiblegas-holder having a movable side, of a generating-chamber com municatingtherewith and having a revoluble carbid-'cage mounted therein, awatercompartment, a pipe leading therefrom having a drop-orifice abovesaid cage, means operated by said movable side for opening and closingsaid drop-oriiice and for revolving said cage, a burner communicatingwith said generating chamber, and a valve for said burner, t'hecombination operating as set forth.

l5. A carbid-cage having its wires indented for the purpose, inoperation, of preventing water which may fall upon the wires, fromrunning along on them, substantially as described.

16. A carbid-cage having its wires bent or indented on opposite sides ofa central point, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM O. NELSON.

I/Vitnesses:

Gno. W. REA, Bnuon S. ELLIo'r'r.

